Shooting at LAX

Updated Sunday 7:00 am: The alleged gunman was targeting TSA agents when he opened fire at LAX on Friday. He shot victim Gerardo Hernandez, a 39-year-old TSA agent point blank. The Los Angeles Times reports that the alleged shooter was shot in the foot and the head by police, and is unresponsive in police custody at a local hospital.

In addition to murder, federal prosecutors charged him with committing violence at an international airport. If convicted, the suspect could face life in prison or the death penalty. (LAT)

About 1,550 flights with 167,000 passengers were affected, airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles said in a statement Saturday. (CBS)

7:15 pm: The federal ground stop at Los Angeles International Airport is over now, but trying to get flights and people in and out is proving slow and difficult.You can read a recap here.

Terminals 1 and 2 have reopened at the nation’s third-busiest airport and flights are resuming slowly.

But more than 700 flights were affected by today’s ground stop at LAX, and delays are expected to continue for hours. Especially with airlines that fly out of Terminal 3, which remains closed at this hour. And will be, according to one official, for “a while”.

The suspected lone gunman was identified as Paul Anthony Ciancia. The 23-year-old had a note expressing “disappointment in the government, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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1:45 pm: From NBC, the gunman has been identified and was carrying anti-government materials

The gunman, identified by law-enforcement officials as 23-year-old Paul Anthony Ciancia, was shot by law enforcement and taken into custody in critical condition. The motive is not clear but it’s believed he had anti-government views based on written materials he was carrying, the officials said.

12:45 pm: Despite some earlier reports, NBC is saying that the suspect has no direct connection to the TSA.

11:53 am: Eric Garcetti speaking at a press conference, says “we’re being proactive,” but to stay away from the airport this afternoon and that it will be “a series of hours” before everything is up and running again.Chief of Airport Police at Los Angeles World Airports, Patrick Gannon, did not provide a lot of details, saying there were multiple injuries and that they believe it was a lone shooter. Also, that the incident was restricted to terminal 3.

11:30 The LA Times reports that the gunman is dead and that he was a TSA employee [The LA Times has updated their reporting to say that he’s in critical condition, not dead]. Witnesses reported hearing 8-9 gunshots. But CBS is reporting that he was not a current or past TSA employee.

11:00: NBC is reporting that one TSA official has been killed, and one wounded. There is a press conference scheduled for 11:30 am

10:40 am: CNN s reporting that the alleged gunman was shot and is now in police custody.

There are reports that three people have been injured in a shooting at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, including a Transportation Security Administration agent and a suspect. The shooting prompted passengers to be evacuated, and streets around the airport have been shutdown. The FAA has put a ground stop into effect, meaning no flights are landing or leaving the airport. NBC is following the story here. The Los Angeles Times has more here.

I was in the Virgin lounge upstairs. Saw everyone pour out of the terminal onto the tarmac. Then I heard shots fired outside.